Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[oznflfan]

Exactly right. Our borders are closed just because our politicians want to keep their jobs.
Vaccines are here, they are getting approved. So where is the plan to reopen the borders?

We might get some sense of process once Scomo does his local vaccine approval presser (likely by end of Dec or Jan) as first question the media will ask is 'does this open up borders'. He will still be predictably cagey, but this will give up some idea.

 

[CityRail]

No plan at all unfortunately

For peace of mind, giving up hope makes it easier

Getting stuck in Australia is like living in hell.

If we are to give up hope for international travel, mine as well commit suicide.

Even though I have Australian citizenship, because I am not PM of Australia, I don't treat this country as home, and so as many here who are desperate to go back to where they come from. If there is no hope for us to go back to where we come from, then we are simply getting stuck in hell with all those incompetent Premiers asking people to get into lockdown at random.

 

[oznflfan]

Getting stuck in Australia is like living in hell.

If we are to give up hope for international travel, mine as well commit suicide.

Even though I have Australian citizenship, because I am not PM of Australia, I don't treat this country as home, and so as many here who are desperate to go back to where they come from. If there is no hope for us to go back to where we come from, then we are simply getting stuck in hell with all those incompetent Premiers asking people to get into lockdown at random.

Not in your situation mate, but just give it time, every week gets you closer to what you want. It will happen. Vaccines look good, and they can't shut borders forever. Almost guaranteed you will be able to travel to SE Asia next year, hopefully for you sooner rather than later.

Chin up mate, it'll all be over before you know it.

 

[dajop]

Vaccines are here, they are getting approved.

At the moment no full approvals yet for vaccines. Definitely positive news but according to NYT the only “limited” approvals are in China and Russia (for limited use of the vaccines).

I think we are all hopeful that approvals will be forthcoming soon.

Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker (Published 2022)

A look at all the vaccines that have reached trials in humans.

www.nytimes.com

 

[ayushamity]

If we are to give up hope for international travel, mine as well commit suicide.

I know...

And No I am NOT contemplating suicide (!!!) but completely legit that the psychiatrist had to prescribe me anti psychotics mood stabilizer meds last week due to anxiety over border closures (I have a pre existing condition).

 

[ayushamity]

Morrison’s Japan trip yields defence pact, but travel bubble less certain

In a region and world in flux, Japan and Australia have taken another step towards a formal military alliance.

theconversation.com

On other matters raised by Morrison’s visit, establishing a pre-vaccine “travel bubble” with Australia now seems unlikely. This is due to a recent spike in coronavirus cases in Japan.

 

[CityRail]

I know...

And No I am NOT contemplating suicide (!!!) but completely legit that the psychiatrist had to prescribe me anti psychotics mood stabilizer meds last week due to anxiety over border closures (I have a pre existing condition).

Same here.

Antidepressant and antipsychotic meds are required to calm me down for these negative thoughts for not able to travel overseas.

I am worried that the internal borders are one of the reasons for a failed travel bubble discussion. If even some states don't have confidence for other states to come in, why would other countries want to release their citizens to travel to your country when all states are not open?

 

[jakeseven7]

I am worried that the internal borders are one of the reasons for a failed travel bubble discussion. If even some states don't have confidence for other states to come in, why would other countries want to release their citizens to travel to your country when all states are not open?

Yes, NZ has called out the internal border mess out in the past.... and they would probably be one of the safest bubble partners....

 

[CityRail]

Yes, NZ has called out the internal border mess out in the past.... and they would probably be one of the safest bubble partners....

Singapore will be another safe bubble partner. 8 days with no community cases already.

 

[jakeseven7]

Singapore will be another safe bubble partner. 8 days with no community cases already.

Depends who else Singapore opens to and if WA / QLD approves of it though

 

[CityRail]

Depends who else Singapore opens to and if WA / QLD approves of it though

True. At this stage, if you open Singapore, then you are opening to Hong Kong, mainland China, Vietnam and NZ.

But having said that, I think this could ease the pressure of hotel quarantine as those citizens will have to stay in Singapore for 14 days before arrival.

Perhaps universities should push for Singapore bubble at least Chinese students can come via Singapore.

 

[dajop]

Even though I have Australian citizenship, because I am not PM of Australia, I don't treat this country as home, and so as many here who are desperate to go back to where they come from. If there is no hope for us to go back to where we come from,

You can get permission to leave as long as you intend to stay away for at least 3 months, but I am sure you would if you could, right?

 

[dajop]

True. At this stage, if you open Singapore, then you are opening to Hong Kong, mainland China, Vietnam and NZ.

Sort of, the way things are managed in Singapore, it's based on your travel history over previous 14 days. So to enter Singapore, , you need to apply for an Air Travel Pass, and in doing this declare where you have been in the previous 14 days. Australia could implement similar (i.e. require that people have only been in Singapore, Australia* or NZ in the previous 14 days) , so reduce the chance of people just slipping through this way, although people could still enter by submitting a false declaration.

* acceptable parts of Australia ....

 

[CityRail]

You can get permission to leave as long as you intend to stay away for at least 3 months, but I am sure you would if you could, right?

I could, especially with Hong Kong-Singapore ATB, I could go back to Hong Kong without quarantine, provided I do tests in Singapore and stay for 14 days.

Yet as an expat, and my work will require F2F contact, it is not able to come back to Australia which is the key issue.

As an University academic, as university term finishes, I have no problem with leaving Australia for 3 months if I can easily come back.

 

[CityRail]

Australia could implement similar (i.e. require that people have only been in Singapore, Australia* or NZ in the previous 14 days) , so reduce the chance of people just slipping through this way, although people could still enter by submitting a false declaration.

* acceptable parts of Australia ....

It will be apparent to have a false declaration if we temporarily close automatic border clearance and ensure ABF officers check stamps.

If you are in Singapore in past 14 days, there should be stamps indicating when you come in and out of Singapore, and that is the best evidence of you had been there for the last 14 days.

If an ABF officer is not satisfied, then he/she should refuse entry/place that person in hotel quarantine and fine him.

 

[dajop]

if I can easily come back.

Will let you know how we go. I've got a ticket from SIN-SYD (that I booked in July) early next month, it's only an award ticket in economy though will see what happens!

 

[OZDUCK]

It will be apparent to have a false declaration if we temporarily close automatic border clearance and ensure ABF officers check stamps.

If you are in Singapore in past 14 days, there should be stamps indicating when you come in and out of Singapore, and that is the best evidence of you had been there for the last 14 days.

If an ABF officer is not satisfied, then he/she should refuse entry/place that person in hotel quarantine and fine him.

Checking stamps in Passports is of little value these days. My Australian passport is not stamped in Singapore on arrival or departure, Frequent Traveler Programme and Australia hasn't stamped passports for (official term) yonks. I am sure other countries have also ceased 'stamping'.

 

[VPS]

Singapore will be another safe bubble partner. 8 days with no community cases already.

South Australia had months without a community case and now look what's happened. Things are going to change quickly.

 

[CityRail]

South Australia had months without a community case and now look what's happened. Things are going to change quickly.

I suppose there is a degree of over-reaction there.

From a high amount of tests, they were only able to pick up 2 cases yesterday and 0 cases today.

I think it shows SA has little confidence in their system and they need to rely on lockdowns to contain it.

Between now and Easter, where millions of vaccines being available, there will be more hotel quarantine breaches, and there will be outbreaks.

I think rather to shut the virus off, let's learn to reponse with modest restrictions daily, rather than abrupt lockdown, to minimise the effect of society and establish a more confident system.

Whilst Pfizer vaccine maybe available from March, Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine, which manufactures here, should be available earlier.

I would say when the first batch of vaccines being available domestic borders should open in all circumstances as it is unreasonable to close borders by then.

 

[N860CR]

I think it shows SA has little confidence in their system and they need to rely on lockdowns to contain it.

Exactly. We were told in March the initial “lockdowns” were to give the hospital systems time to prepare. I’m really questioning what these states did. It seems that the entire budget went to “slamming borders shut” and zero actual planning took place. It’s almost criminal... yet people keep voting for them.